Last chance to sign up for Trauma-Informed Care in Native Communities training on Aug 3. Sponsored by NWATTC, co-hosted by the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe. Trainer: Dr. June LaMarr (Pauite / Pit River). This 1-day training has been developed for a variety of health care providers to help them identify and assist Native individuals experiencing trauma. 6 NAADAC & 6 NBCC credits available.

Dennis M. Donovan, PhD will deliver a Keynote Address at the 32nd Annual Merrill Scott Symposium on Alcoholism and other Drug Dependencies, August 24-25 at the Yakima Convention Center. The theme of his keynote presentation is "Public Health, Public Policy, and Public Opinion: Challenges in the Era of Marijuana, Opiates, and HIV." Dr. Donovan is Director of the UW Alcohol & Drug Abuse Institute; Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences; and Adjunct Professor in the Departments of Psychology, Health Services, and Global Health at the University of Washington Schools of Medicine and Public Health.

Dr. Donovan will also make a presentation during the regular program on "Twelve-Step Facilitation: An Evidence-Based Practice."

This year's meeting will be the 32nd Merrill Scott Symposium sponsored by Sundown M. Ranch. The symposium is named for Merrill Scott, chairman of the community group that founded the Sundown M Ranch drug treatment center, and a key lobbyist for changes in state law regarding alcoholism. Mr. Scott died in August 2016 at age 90.

Other featured speakers for the Symposium are Darryl S. Inaba, PharmD, CATC-V, CADC III of the Addictions Recovery Center in Medford, OR, and Ryan Leaf, former WSU and NFL Quarterback and currently Program Ambassador for Transcend Recovery Community.

"Overview of the Opioid Epidemic and Statewide Response" is the topic of webinar led by Caleb Banta-Green, MSW, MPH, PhD, principal research scientist at the UW Alcohol & Drug Abuse Institute. Participants will learn more about the statewide opioid response, the role of evidence-based medical treatments, and the multiple efforts to decrease mortality rates from opioid use by changing the way treatment is delivered.

The webinar is the latest in a series of "Transformation Talks," monthly webinars hosted by the Health Systems Transformation and Innovation team at the Washington State Department of Health. Topics cover a range of issues related to healthcare reform and health systems transformation efforts. These events are open to state agency staff, local public health, and partners statewide.

Dennis will be leaving ADAI and the University of Washington to assume a tenure-track faculty position at McGill University in Montreal, starting August 1.

His new position is with the Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology will focus on Indigenous psychology research. He will continue to collaborate with CTN colleagues on CTN 0078ot, a community-based participatory research study, working with tribes in Washington state exploring facilitators and barriers for medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorders (funded by the CTN). At the same time, he will attempt to join collaborations and form new relationships working with Indigenous tribes and communities in Quebec concerning issues pertaining to substance use and related problems.

Congratulations, Dennis -- or in French, a language he will need to learn – Félicitations!!!